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THE POEMS OF SAPPHO 



The Poems of Sappho 



An Interpretative Rendition into English 



BY 

JOHN MYERS O'HARA 



PORTLAND: MDCCCCX 






w 



COPYRIGHT, I9IO 
BY SMITH & SALE, PUBLISHERS 



0/ this edition, five hundred copies 
were printed on hand-made paper 
from type afterwards distributed, 
in fuly, MDCCCCX 



C;HlAa684.^ 



Q, Who shall strike the wax of mystery from those priceless 

^ X" amphorcB, and give to the unsophisticated nostrils of the aver- 

^ age reader the ravishing bouquet of wine pressed in a garden in 

Mitylene, twenty five centuries ago? — MAURICE Thompson. 



"i ^HEN to me so lying atvake a vision 

Came without sleep over the seas ajid touched me, 
Softly touched mine eyelids and lips ; and I, too, 
Full of the vision, 

Saw the white implacable Aphrodite, 
Sa7v the hair unbound and the feet unsandalled 
Shine as fire of sunset on western waters ; 
Saw the reluctant 

Feet, the straining plumes of the doves that drew her, 
Lookifig always, looking with necks reverted 
Back to Lesbos, back to the hills whereunder 
Shone Mitylene. 

SWINBURNE. 



a dtoi, TTis apa KvTrpts, 17 Tt's tfJitpo^ 
TovSi ivvrjif/aro- 

— SOPHOCLES. 



SAPPHICS 



THE MUSES 

HITHER now, O Muses, leaving the golden 
House of God unseen in the azure spaces. 
Come and breathe on bosom and brow and kindle 
Song like the sunglow ; 

Come and lift my shaken soul to the sacred 
Shadow cast by Helicon's rustling forests ; 
Sweep on wings of flame from the middle ether, 
Seize and uplift me ; 

Thrill my heart that throbs with unwonted fervor, 
Chasten mouth and throat with immortal kisses, 
Till I yield on maddening heights the very 
Breath of my body. 



MUSAGETES 

COME with Musagetes, ye Hours and Graces, 
Dance around the team of swans that attend him 
Up Parnassian heights, to his holy temple 
High on the hill-top ; 

Come, ye Muses, too, from the shades of Pindus, 
Let your songs, that echo on winds of rapture, 
Wake the lyre he tunes to the sweet inspiring 
Sound of your voices. 



LOVE'S BANQUET 

IF Panormus, Cyprus or Paphos hold thee, 
Either home of Gods or the island temple, 
Hark again and come at my invocation, 
Goddess benefic ; 

Come thou, foam-born Kypris, and pour in dainty 
Cups of amber gold thy delicate nectar, 
Subtly mixed with fire that will swiftly kindle 
Love in our bosoms ; 

Thus the bowl ambrosial was stirred in Paphos 
For the feast, and taking the burnished ladle, 
Hermes poured the wine for the Gods who lifted 
Reverent beakers ; 

High they held their goblets and made libation. 

Spilling wine as pledge to the Fates and Hades, 

Quaffing deep and binding their hearts to Eros, 

Lauding thy servant. 

So to me and my Lesbians round me gathered, 
Each made mine, an amphor of love long tasted, 
Bid us drink, who sigh for thy thrill ecstatic, 
Passion's full goblet ; 

Grant me this, O Kypris, and on thy altar 
Dawn will see a goat of the breed of Naxos, 
Snowy doves from Cos and the drip of rarest 
Lesbian vintage ; 

For a regal taste is mine and the glowing 
Zenith-lure and beauty of suns must brighten 
Love for me, that ever upon perfection 
Trembles elusive. 



MOON AND STARS 

WHEN the moon at full on the sill of heaven 
Lights her beacon, flooding the earth with silver, 
All the shining stars that about her cluster 
Hide their fair faces ; 

So when Anactoria's beauty dazzles 
Sight of mine, grown dim with the joy it gives me, 
Gorgo, Atthis, Gyrinno, all the others 
Fade from my vision. 



ODE TO ANACTORIA 

PEER of Gods to me is the man thy presence 
Crowns with joy ; who hears, as he sits beside thee, 
Accents sweet of thy lips the silence breaking, 
With lovely laughter ; 

Tones that make the heart in my bosom flutter, 
For if I, the space of a moment even, 
Near to thee come, any word I would utter 
Instantly fails me ; 

Vain my stricken tongue would a whisper fashion. 
Subtly under my skin runs fire ecstatic ; 
Straightway mists surge dim to my eyes and leave them 
Reft of their vision ; 

Echoes ring in my ears ; a trembling seizes 
All my body bathed in soft perspiration ; 
Pale as grass I grow in my passion's madness. 
Like one insensate ; 

But must I dare all, since to me unworthy. 
Bliss thy beauty brings that a God might envy ; 
Never yet was fervid woman a fairer 
Image of Kypris. 

Ah ! undying Daughter of God, befriend me ! 
Calm my blood that thrills with impending transport ; 
Feed my lips the murmur of words to stir her 
Bosom to pity ; 

Overcome with kisses her faintest protest. 
Melt her mood to mine with amorous touches, 
Till her low assent and her sigh's abandon 
Lure me to rapture. 



THE ROSE 

IF it pleased the whim of Zeus in an idle 
Hour to choose a king for the flowers, he surely 
Would have crowned the rose for its regal beauty, 
Deeming it peerless ; 

By its grace is valley and hill embellished, 
Earth is made a shrine for the lover's ardor ; 
Dear it is to flowers as the charm of lovely 
Eyes are to mortals ; 

Joy and pride of plants, and the garden's glory. 
Beauty's blush it brings to the cheek of meadows ; 
Draining fire and dew from the dawn for rarest 
Color and odor ; 

Softly breathed, its scent is a plea for passion. 
When it blooms to welcome the kiss of Kypris ; 
Sheathed in fragrant leaves its tremulous petals 
Laugh in the zephyr. 



ODE TO APHRODITE 

APHRODITE, subtle of soul and deathless, 
Daughter of God, weaver of wiles, I pray thee 
Neither with care, dread Mistress, nor with anguish, 
Slay thou my spirit ! 

But in pity hasten, come now if ever 
From afar of old when my voice implored thee, 
Thou hast deigned to listen, leaving the golden 
House of thy father 

With thy chariot yoked ; and with doves that drew thee, 
Fair and fleet around the dark earth from heaven. 
Dipping vibrant wings down the azure distance. 
Through the mid-ether ; 

Very swift they came ; and thou, gracious Vision, 
Leaned with face that smiled in immortal beauty. 
Leaned to me and asked, "What misfortune threatened? 
Why I had called thee ? " 

" What my frenzied heart craved in utter yearning, 
Whom its wild desire would persuade to passion ? 
What disdainful charms, madly worshipped, slight thee ? 
Who wrongs thee, Sappho ? " 

" She that fain would fly, she shall quickly follow. 
She that now rejects, yet with gifts shall woo thee, 
She that heeds thee not, soon shall love to madness, 
Love thee, the loth one ! " 

Come to me now thus, Goddess, and release me 
From distress and pain ; and all my distracted 
Heart would seek, do thou, once again fulfilling. 
Still be my ally ! 



SUMMER 

SLUMBER Streams from quivering leaves that listless 
Bask in heat and stillness of Lesbian summer ; 
Breathless swoons the air with the apple-blossoms' 
Delicate odor; 

From the shade of branches that droop and cover 
Shallow trenches winding about the orchard, 
Restful comes, and cool to the sense, the flowing 
Murmur of water. 



THE GARDEN OF THE NYMPHS 

ALL around through the apple boughs in blossom 
Murmur cool the breezes of early summer, 
And from leaves that quiver above me gently 
Slumber is shaken ; 

Glades of poppies swoon in the drowsy languor, 
Dreaming roses bend, and the oleanders 
Bask and nod to drone of bees in the silent 
Fervor of noontide ; 

Myrtle coverts hedging the open vista, 
Dear to nightly frolic of Nymph and Satyr, 
Yield a mossy bed for the brown and weary 
Limbs of the shepherd. 

Echo ever wafts through the drooping frondage, 
Ceaseless silver murmur of water falling 
In the grotto cool of the Nymphs, the sacred 
Haunt of Immortals ; 

Down the sides of rocks that are gray and lichened 
Trickle tiny rills, whose expectant tinkle 
Drips with gurgle hushed in the clear glimmering 
Depths of the basin. 

Fair on royal couches of leaves recumbent, 
Interspersed with languor of waxen lilies, 
Lotus flowers empurple the pool whose edge is 
Cushioned with mosses ; 

Here recline the Nymphs at the hour of twilight, 
Back in shadows dim of the cave, their golden 
Sea-green eyes half lidded, up to their supple 
Waists in the water. 

Sheltered once by ferns I espied them binding 
Tresses long, the tint of lilac and orange ; 
Just beyond the shimmer of light their bodies 
Roseate glistened ; 



Deftly, then, they girdled their loins with garlands, 
Linked with leaves luxuriant limb and shoulder ; 
On their breasts they bruised the red blood of roses 
Fresh from the garden. 

She of orange hair was the Nymph Euxanthis, 
And the lilac-tressed were Iphis and lo ; 
How they laughed, relating at length their ease in 
Evading the Satyr. 



APHRODITE'S DOVES 

WHEN the drifting gray of the vesper shadow 
Dimmed their upward path through the midmost azure, 
And the length of night overtook them distant 
Far from Olympus ; 

Far away from splendor and joy of Paphos, 
From the voice and smile of their peerless Mistress, 
Back to whom their truant wings were in rapture 
Speeding belated ; 

Chilled at heart and grieving they drooped their pinions, 
Circled slowly, dipping in flight toward Lesbos, 
Down through dusk that darkened on Mitylene's 
Columns of marble ; 

Down through glory wan of the fading sunset, 
Veering ever toward the abode of Sappho, 
Toward my home, the fane of the glad devoted 
Slave of the Goddess ; 

Soon they gained the tile of my roof and rested, 
Slipped their heads beneath their wings while I watched them 
Sink to sleep and dreams, in the warm and drowsy 
Night of midsummer. 



ANACREON'S SONG 

GOLDEN-THRONED Muse, sing the song that in olden 
Days was sung of love and delight in Teos, 
In the goodly land of the lovely women : 
Strains that in other 

Years the hoary bard with the youthful fancy 
Set to mirthful stir of flutes, when the dancing 
Nymphs that poured the wine for the poet's banquet 
Mixed it with kisses ; 

Sing the song while I, in the arms of Atthis, 
Seal her lips to mine with a lover's fervor, 
Breathe her breath and drink her sighs to the honeyed 
Lull of the melics. 



14 



THE DAUGHTER OF CYPRUS 

DREAMING I spake with the Daughter of Cyprus, 
Heard the languor soft of her voice, the blended 
Suave accord of tones interfused with laughter 
Low and desireful ; 

Dreaming saw her dread ineffable beauty. 
Saw through texture fine of her clinging tunic 
Blush the fire of flesh, the rose of her body. 
Radiant, blinding ; 

Saw through filmy meshes the melting lovely 
Flow of line, the exquisite curves, whence piercing 
Rapture reached with tangible touch to thrill me, 
Almost to slay me ; 

Saw the gleaming foot, and the golden sandal 
Held by straps of Lydian work thrice doubled 
Over the instep's arch, and up the rounded 
Dazzling ankle ; 

Saw the charms that shimmered from knee to shoulder, 
Hint of hues, than milk or the snowdrift whiter; 
Secret grace, the shrine of the soul of passion. 
Glows that consumed me ; 

Saw the gathered mass of her xanthic tresses, 
Mitra-bound, escape from the clasping fillet. 
Float and shine as clouds in the sunset splendor. 
Mists in the dawn-fire ; 

Saw the face immortal, and daring greatly. 
Raised my eyes to hers of unfathoraed azure. 
Drank their world's desire, their limitless longing. 
Swooned and was nothing. 



15 



THE DISTAFF 

COME, ye dainty Graces and lovely Muses, 
Rosy-armed and pure and with fairest tresses, 
Come from groves on Helicon's hill where murmur 
Founts that are holy ; 

Come with dancing step and with lips harmonic, 
Gather near and view my ivory distaff, 
Gift from Cos my brother Charaxus brought me. 
Sailing from Egypt ; 

Sailing back to Lesbos from far Naucratis, 
From the seven mouths of the Nile and Egypt 
Up the blue ^gean, the island-dotted 
Ocean of Hellas ; 

Choicest wool alone will I spin for fabrics. 
Winding reel with threads for the cloths as fleecy. 
Soft and fine as they bring from far Phocea, 
Sidon or Sardis ; 

While I weave my thought shall engird the giver, 
Whether here, or far on the sea, or resting 
Couched in shady courts with the lovely garland 
Girls of Naucratis. 



THE SLEEP WIND 

SOFTER than mists o'er the pale green of waters, 
O'er the charmed sea, shod with sandals of shadow 
Comes the warm sleep wind of Argolis, floating 
Garlands of fragrance ; 

Comes the sweet wind by the still hours attended, 
Touching tired lids on the shores dim with distance, 
Ever its way toward the headland of Lesbos, 
Toward Mitylene. 

Faintly one fair star of evening enkindles 
On the dusk afar its lone fire CEtean, 
Shining serene till the darkness will deepen 
Others to splendor ; 

Bringing ineffable peace, and the gladsome 
Return with the night of all things that morning 
Ruthlessly parted, the child to its mother, 
Lover to lover. 

From the marble court of rose-crowned companions, 
All alone my feet again seek the little 
Theatre pledged to the Muse, now deserted. 
Facing the surges ; 

Where the carved Pan-heads that laugh down the gentle 
Slope of broad steps to the refluent ripple, 
Flute from their thin pipes the dithyrambs deathless. 
Songs all unuttered. 

Empty each seat where my girl friends acclaimed me, 
Poets with names on the tiered stone engraven. 
Over whose verge blooms the apple tree, drifting 
Perfume and petals ; 

Gone Telesippa and tender Gyrinno, 
Anactoria, woman divine ; Atthis, 
Subtlest of soul, fair Damophyla, Dica, 
Maids of the Muses. 



Here an hour past soul-enravished they listened 
While my rapt heart breathed its paean impassioned, 
Chanted its wild prayer to thee, Aphrodite, 
Daughter of Cyprus ; 

Now to their homes are they gone in the city, 
Pensive to dream limb-relaxed while the languid 
Slaves come and lift from the tresses they loosen, 
Flowers that have faded. 

Thou alone, Sappho, art sole with the silence. 
Sole with night and dreams that are darkness, weaving 
Thoughts that are sighs from the heart and their meaning 
Vague as the shadow ; 

When the great silence shall come to thee, sad one, 
Men that forget shall remember thy music, 
Murmur thy name that shall steal on their passion 
Soft as the sleep wind. 



i8 



THE REPROACH 

KYPRis, hear my prayer to thee and the Nereids ! 
Safely bring the ship of my brother homewards, 
Bring him back unharmed to the heart that loves him, 
Throbbing remorseful ; 

Fair Immortal, banish from mind, I pray thee, 
Every discord's hint that of yore estranged us ; 
Grant that never again dissension's hateful 
Wrangle shall part us ; 

May he never in days to come remember 
Keen reproach of mine that had grieved him sorely ; 
Words that broke my very heart when I heard them 
Uttered by others ; 

Words that wounded deep and recurring often, 
Bowed his head with shame at the public banquet ; 
Where my scorn, amid festal joy and laughter, 
Sharpened the covert 

Jests that stung his pride and assailed his folly, 
Slave-espoused when he, a Lesbian noble. 
Might have won the fairest in Mitylene, 
Virgins the noblest; 

Open slurs that linked his name with Doricha, 
Lovely slave that Xanthes had sold in Egypt; 
She whose wondrous charms the wealth of Charaxus 
Ransomed from bondage. 

Now that he is gone and my anger vanished, 
Keen regret and grief for the pain I gave him 
Pierce my heart, and fear of loss that is anguish 
Darkens the daylight. 



19 



LONG AGO 

LONG ago beloved, thy memory, Atthis, 
Saddens still my heart as the soft ^olic 
Twilight deepens down on the sea, and fitful 
Winds that have wandered 

Over groves of myrtle at Amathonte 
Waft forgotten passion on breaths of perfume. 
Long ago, how madly I loved thee, Atthis ! 
Faithless, light-hearted 

Loved one, mine no more, who lovest another 
More than me ; the silent flute and the faded 
Garlands haunt the heart of me thou forgettest, 
Long since thy lover. 



EPITHALAMIA 
THRENODES 



HYMENAIOS 

ARTISANS, raise high the roof beam ! 
Tall is the bridegroom as Ares, 
Taller by far than the tallest, 
O Hymenseus 1 

Ay 1 towering over his fellows. 
As over men of all other 
Lands towers the Lesbian singer, 
O Hymenaeus ! 

Well-favored, too, is the maiden, 
Eyes that are sweeter than honey. 
Fair both in face and in figure, 
O Hymenaeus ! 

For there was never another 
Virgin in loveliness like her, 
By Aphrodite so honored, 
O Hymenaeus ! 

O happy bridegroom, the wedding 
Comes to the point of completion ; 
Thou hast the maid of thy choosing, 
O Hymenaeus ! 

See how a paleness suffuses 
Soft o'er her exquisite features, 
Passion's benign premonition, 
O Hymenaeus ! 

Go to the couch un reluctant, 
Rejoicing and sweet to the bridegroom 
He in his turn is rejoicing, 
O Hymenaeus ! 

May Hesperus lead thee, and Hera, 
She whom to-night that ye honor. 
Silver-throned Goddess of marriage, 
O Hymenseus! 



23 



B 



BRIDAL SONG 

RIDE, that goest to the bridal chamber 
In the dove-drawn car of Aphrodite, 
By a band of dimpled 
Loves surrounded : 



Bride, of maidens all the fairest image 
Mitylene treasures of the Goddess, 
Rosy-ankled Graces 
Are thy playmates ; 

Bride, O fair and lovely, thy companions 
Are the gracious hours that onward passing 
For thy gladsome footsteps 
Scatter garlands. 

Bride, that blushing like the sweetest apple 
On the very branch's end, so strangely 
Overlooked, ungathered 
By the gleaners ; 

Bride, that like the apple that was never 
Overlooked but out of reach so plainly. 
Only one thy rarest 
Fruit may gather ; 

Bride, that into womanhood has ripened 
For the harvest of the bridegroom only. 
He alone shall taste thy 
Hoarded sweetness. 



24 



EPITHALAMIUM 

VESPER is here I behold 
Faint gleams that welcome shine ! 
Rise from the feast, O youths, 
And chant the fescennine ! 

Before the porch we sing 

The hymeneal song; 
Vesper is here, O youths ! 

The star we waited long. 

We lead the festal groups 

Across the bridegroom's porch ; 

Vesper is here, O youths ! 
Wave high the bridal torch. 

Hail, noble bridegroom, hail ! 

The virgin fair has come ; 
Unlatch the door and lead 

Her timid footsteps home. 

Hail, noble bridegroom, hail ! 

Straight as a tender tree ; 
Fond as a folding vine 

Thy bride will cling to thee. 



25 



PIERIA'S ROSE 

PALE death shall come, and thou and thine shall be, 
Then and thereafter, to all memory 
Forgotten as the wind that yesterday 
Blew the last lingering apple buds away ; 

For thou hadst never that undying rose 
To grace the brow and shed immortal glows ; 
Pieria's fadeless flower that few may claim 
To wreathe and save thy unremembered name. 

Ay ! even on the fields of Dis unknown, 
Obscure among the shadows and alone, 
Thy flitting shade shall pass uncomforted 
Of any heed from all the flitting dead. 

But no one maid, I think, beneath the skies, 

At any time shall live and be as wise, 

In sooth, as I am ; for the Muses Nine 

Have made me honored and their gifts are mine ; 

And men, I think, will never quite forget 
My songs or me ; so long as stars shall set 
Or sun shall rise, or hearts feel love's desire. 
My voice shall cross their dreams, a sigh of fire. 



26 



LAMENT FOR ADONIS 

AH, for Adonis ! 
See, he is dying, 
Delicate, lovely, 
Slender Adonis. 

Ah, for Adonis ! 
Weep, O ye maidens, 
Beating your bosoms. 
Rending your tunics. 

O Cytherea, 
Hasten, for never 
Loved thou another 
As thy Adonis. 

See, on the rosy 
Cheek with its dimple, 
Blushing no longer, 
Thanatos' shadow. 

Save him, O Goddess ! 
Thou, the beguiler, 
All-powerful, holy, 
Stay the dread evil. 

Ah, for Adonis ! 
No more at vintage 
Time will he come with 
Bloom of the meadows. 

Ah, for Adonis ! 
See, he is dying, 
Fading as flowers 
With the lost summer. 



27 



THE STRICKEN FLOWER 

THINK not to ever look as once of yore, 
Atthis, upon my love ; for thou no more 
Wilt find intact upon its stem the flower 
Thy guile left slain and bleeding in that hour. 

So ruthless shepherds crush beneath their feet 
The hill flower blooming in the summer heat ; 
The hyacinth whose purple heart is found 
Left bruised and dead, to darken on the ground. 



28 



DEATH 

DEATH is an evil ; so the Gods decree, 
So they have judged, and such must rightly be 
Our mortal view ; for they who dwell on high 
Had never lived, had it been good to die. 

And so the poet's house should never know 
Of tears and lamentations any show ; 
Such things befit not us who deathless sing 
Of love and beauty, gladness and the spring. 

No hint of grief should mar the features of 
Our dreams of endless beauty, lasting love ; 
For they reflect the joy inviolate. 
Eternal calm that fronts whatever fate. 

Cleis, my darling, grieve no more, I pray ! 
Let wandering winds thy sorrow bear away, 
And all our care ; my daughter, let thy smile 
Shine through thy tears and gladden me the while. 



29 



PERSEPHONE 

I SAW a tender maiden plucking flowers 
Once, long ago, in the bright morning hours ; 
And then from heaven I saw a sudden cloud 
Fall swift and dark, and heard her cry aloud. 

Again I looked, but from my open door 
My anxious eyes espied the maid no more ; 
The cloud had vanished, bearing her away 
To underlands beyond the smiling day. 



30 



PARTHENEIA 
DIDAKTIKA 



MAIDENHOOD 

Do I long for maidenhood ? 
Do I long for days 
When upon the mountain slope 

I would stand and gaze 
Over the ^gean's blue 

Melting into mist, 
Ere with love my virgin lips 
Cercolas had kissed ? 

Maidenhood, O maidenhood, 

Whither hast thou flown ? 
To a land beyond the sea 

Thou hast never known. 
Maidenhood, O maidenhood, 

Wilt return to me ? 
Never will my bloom again 

Give its grace to thee. 

Now the autumn skies are low. 

Youth and summer sped ; 
Shepherd hills are far away, 

Cercolas is dead. 
Mitylene's marble courts 

Echo with my name ; — 
Maidenhood, we never dreamed. 

Long ago of fame. 



33 



EVER MAIDEN 

I SHALL be ever maiden, 
Ever the little child, 
In my passionate quest for the lovely, 
By earth's glad wonder beguiled. 

I shall be ever maiden, 

Standing in soul apart, 
For the Gods give the secret of beauty 

Alone to the virgin heart. 



34 



CLEIS 

DAUGHTER of mine, so fair, 
With a form like a golden flower, 
Wherefore thy pensive air 

And the dreams in the myrtle bower ? 

Cleis, beloved, thy eyes 

That are turned from my gaze, thy hand 
That trembles so, I prize 

More than all the Lydian land ; 

More than the lovely hills 

With the Lesbian olive crowned ; — 
Tell me, darling, what ills 

In the gloom of thy thought are found ? 

Daughter of mine, come near 

And thy head on my knees recline ; 

Whisper and never fear, 

For the beat of thy heart is mine. 

Sweet mother, I can turn 

With content to my loom no more ; 
My bosom throbs, I yearn 

For a youth that my eyes adore ; 

Lykas of Eresus, 

Whom I knew when a little child ; 
My heart by Love is thus 

With the sweetest of pain beguiled. 



35 



ASPIRATION 

I DO not think with my two arms to touch the sky, 
I do not dream to do almighty things ; 
So small a singing bird may never soar so high, 
To beat the sapphire fire with baffled wings. 

I do not think with my two arms to touch the sky, 
I do not dream by any chance to share 

With deathless Gods the bliss of Paphos they deny 
To men behind the azure veil of air. 



36 



HERO, OF GYARA 

I TAUGHT Hero, of Gyara, the swift runner ; 
Swifter far was she than Atalanta, 
When through clinging fleece of her wind-rippled 
Garments blushed the glimmer of her limbs. 

I taught Hero, of Gyara, the swift runner ; 

Lovelier was she than Atalanta, 
When the straining vision of the suitor 

Saw her beauty mock impending death. 

I taught Hero, of Gyara, the swift runner. 
All the singing numbers of Terpander, 

Metres of Archilochus and Alcman, 

And my melic verse that glows supreme. 

I taught Hero, of Gyara, the swift runner, 
Sapphics with their triple surge of music 

Melting in the final verse Adonic, 

Like the foam fall of a spended wave. 



37 



COURAGE 

FAINT not in thy strong heart I 
Nor downcast stand apart ; 
Beyond the reach of daring will there lies 
No beauty's prize. 

Faint not in thy strong heart ! 

Through temple, field and mart, 
Courage alone the guerdon from the fray 

May bear away. 



38 



THE BOAST OF ARES 

ARES said he would drag 
Hephestus by force 
From Poseidon's palace 
Deep down in the sea ; 
Where he had fashioned 
The cunning throne 
With the secret chains. 

He presented the throne, 

Forsooth, as a gift 
To the queen of heaven ; 

But Hera soon found 

For revenge on her 
Who had him cast 

From the home of Gods. 

For secure in its clasp 

Of adamant gold 
She was held imprisoned. 

The prey of his guile ; 

And Hephestus knew 
By him alone 

Could the queen be freed. 

But the great God of war 

Made boast of his strength ; 
He would bring the forger 

Of metals and tricks 

On high to release 
Hera, and end 

Her enraged despair. 

Ares said he would drag 

Hephestus by force, 
But was made to waver 

And flee when assailed 

With a blazing brand 
By the dark God 

Of the underworld. 

39 



GOLD 

GOLD is the son of Zeus, 
Immortal, bright ; 
Nor moth nor worm may eat it, 
Nor rust tarnish. 

So are the Muse's gifts 

The offspring fair, 
That merit from high heaven 

Youth eternal. 



40 



GNOMICS 



MY ways are quiet, none may find 
My temper of malignant kind ; 
For one should check the words that start 
When anger spreads within the heart. 



Who from my hands what I can spare 
Of gifts accept the largest share, 
Those are the very ones who boast 
No gratitude and wrong me most. 



He who in face and form is fair 
Must needs be good, the Gods declare ; 
But he whose thought and act are right 
Will soon be equal fair to sight. 



Beauty of youth is but the flower 
Of spring, whose pleasure lasts an hour ; 
While worth that knows no mortal doom 
Is like the amaranthine bloom. 



41 



PRIDE 

PRIDE not thyself upon a ring, 
Or any trinket thing 
Of fleeting value, dross or gold. 

Wealth, lacking worth, is no safe friend, 

Though both to life may lend. 
In just proportion, joy untold. 



42 



LETO AND NIOBE 

LETO and Niobe were friends full dear, 
The Goddess' heart and woman's heart were one 
In that maternal love that men revere, 
Love that endures when other loves are done. 

But Niobe with all a mother's pride. 
Artless and foolish, would not be denied; 
And boasted that her children were more fair 
Than Leto's lovely children of the air. 

The proud Olympians vowed revenge for this. 
Irate Apollo, angered Artemis ; 
They slew her children, heedless of her moan, 
And with the last her heart was turned to stone. 



43 



THE DYE 

FROM Scythian wood they brew 
The dye whose yellow hue 
Turns gold the lovely hair 
Of Lesbians fair. 

So, Zanthis, slave of mine, 
Shall dip the fleeces fine, 
And dye the robes I made 
A saffron shade. 



44 



EROTIKA 
DITHYRAMBS 



HYMN TO PAPHIA 

IMMORTAL Paphia ! have I earned thy hate, 
That I should burn in passion's fatal flame ? 
Is not my constant service thine to claim, 
My prayer's appeal with praise of thee elate ? 

Has not my life been one sole hymn of thee, 

One quivering chord on Love's harp overwrought ? 
My soul has trembled up to thee in thought, 

Probed to its depth thy every ecstasy. 

Are not my countless heart-beats each a vow. 
Of tribute throbs a garland ? For thy gain 
The Fates have drenched my soul in passion's rain, 

Pieria's roses twined about my brow. 

The virgin harvest of my heart was thine, 
I shuddered in the joy that half consumed ; 
The votive garlands on thy altar bloomed. 

My days were songs to nights of bliss divine. 

Why try me, then, with torture, gracious Queen ? 
Why verge me on this rapture's dread abyss, 
Hold breast from breast and stay the yearning kiss ? 

Ah, couldst thou fashion pain that stung less keen ? 

The throe of Tantalus is mine to bear, 
Beauty that Thetis-like eludes my clasp ; 
Glances that lure, that make each breath a gasp, 

And then disdainful gloat at my despair. 

Scornful she dwells beyond my ardor's clutch, 
Bathed in an aureole of carnal fire ; — 

bind her equal slave to fond desire. 

Let passion's tingling warmth her being touch ! 

Come to me, Goddess, come as once of old, 
Hearing my voice implore thee from afar, 

1 drew to earth thy dazzling avatar ; 
Accord the smile of piercing bliss untold. 



47 



Ask me the dear suave question phrased of yore ; 

" Sappho, who grieveth now thy mad fond heart ? 

Wouldst win her beauty, she who frowns apart ? 
Wild as thou lovest, she soon shall love thee more." 

O fair Olympian, answer thus, I pray ! 

Release me from this torment, yield my arms 
The transport thirsted of her folded charms, 

In glow that welds her heart to mine for aye. 



48 



EROS 

FROM the gnarled branches of the apple trees 
The heavy petals, lifted by the breeze, 
Fluttered on puffs of odor fine and fell 
In the clear water of the garden well ; 

And some a bolder zephyr blew in sport 
Across the marble reaches of my court. 
And some by sudden gusts were wafted wide 
Toward sea and city, down the mountain side. 

Lesbos seemed Paphos, isled in rosy glow, 
Green olive hills, the violet vale below ; 
The air was azure fire and o'er the blue 
Still sea the doves of Aphrodite flew. 

My dreaming eyes saw Eros from afar 
Coming from heaven in his mother's car, 
In purple tunic clad ; and at my heart 
The God was aiming his relentless dart. 

He whom fair Aphrodite called her son, 

She, the adored, she, the imperial One ; 

He passed as winds that shake the soul, as pains 

Sweet to the heart, as fire that warms the veins ; 

He passed and left my limbs dissolved in dew. 
Relaxed and faint, with passion quivered through 
Exhausted with spent thrills of dread delight, 
A sudden darkness rushing on my sight. 



49 



PASSION 

Now Love shakes my soul, a mighty 
Wind from the high mountain falling 
Full on the oaks of the forest ; 

Now, limb-relaxing, it masters 

My life and implacable thrills me. 
Rending with anguish and rapture. 

Now my heart, paining my bosom, 
Pants with desire as a maenad 
Mad for the orgiac revel. 

Now under my skin run subtle 
Arrows of flame, and my body 
Quivers with surge of emotion. 

Now long importunate yearnings 
Vanquish with surfeit my reason ; 
Fainting my senses forsake me. 



SO 



o 



APHRODITE'S PRAISE 

Sappho, why art thou ever 
Singing with praises the blessed 
Queen of the heaven ? 



Why does the heart in thy bosom 
Ever revert in its yearning 

Throb to the Goddess ? 

Why are thy senses unsated 
Ever in quest of elusive 

Love that is deathless ? 

Ah, gracious Daughter of Cyprus, 
Never can I as a mortal 

Tire of thy service. 

Thou art the breath of my body. 
The blood in my veins, and the glowing 
Pulse of my bosom. 

Omnipotent, burning, resistless, 
Thou art the passion that shaking 
Masters me ever. 

Thou art the crisis of rapture 
Relaxing my limbs, and the melting 
Ebb of emotion ; 

Bringing the tears to my lashes, 
Sighs to my lips, in the swooning 
Excess of passion. 

O golden-crowned Aphrodite, 

Grant I shall ever be grateful. 

Sure of thy favor ; 

Worthy the lot of thy priestess. 
Supreme in the song that forever 
Rings with thy praises. 



THE FIRST KISS 

AND down I set the cushion 
Upon the couch that she, 
Relaxed supine upon it, 
Might give her lips to me. 

As some enamored priestess 
At Aphrodite's shrine. 
Entranced I bent above her 
With sense of the divine. 

She had, by nature nubile, 
In years a child, no hint 
Of any secret knowledge 
Of passion's least intent. 

Her mouth for immolation 
Was ripe, and mine the art ; 
And one long kiss of passion 
Deflowered her virgin heart. 



52 



ODE TO ATTHIS 

I LOVED you, Atthis, once, long years ago ! 
My blood was flame that thrilled to passion's throe ; 
Now long neglect has quenched the olden fire. 
And blight of drifting years effaced desire. 

I loved you, Atthis — joy of long ago — 
Love shook my soul as winds on forests blow ; 
This lawless heart that dared exhaust delight, 
Unsated strove and maddened through the night. 

I loved you, Atthis, once, long years ago 1 
With pain whose surge I felt to anguish grow ; 
Suffered the storms that waste the heart and leave 
A desert shore where seas but break to grieve. 

I loved you, Atthis — spring of long ago — 
Watched you depart, to Andromeda go ; 
Then I, as keen despair its shadow cast, 
O'er my deserted threshold, sobbing, passed. 

I loved you, Atthis, once, long years ago ! 
The thought of me is hateful now, I know ; 
And all the lavish tenderness of old 
Has gone from me and left my bosom cold. 

I loved you, Atthis — dream of long ago — 

How the fond words, impassioned music low. 

Sustain the sigh of love's divine regret 

No length of time may bid the heart forget. 



53 



COMPARISON 

LESS soft a Tyrian robe 
Of texture fine, 
Less delicate a rose 
Than flesh of thine. 

Whiter thy breast than snow 

That virgin lies, 
And deeper than the blue 

Of seas thy eyes. 

More golden than the fruit 

Of orange trees, 
Thy locks that floating lure 

The satyr breeze. 

Less fine of silver string 

An Orphic lyre. 
Less sweet than thy low laugh 

That wakes desire. 



54 



THE SACRIFICE 

UPON a cushion soft 
My limbs I place, 
My every garment doffed 

For deeper grace ; 
From burning doves embalmed 

In baccharis, 
The scented fumes have calmed 
Me like a kiss. 

Beyond the phallic shrine 

That tripods light, 
I pledge with holy wine 

An image white ; 
Anadyomene, 

Than foam more fair, 
When from the ravished sea 

She rose to air. 

Daughter of God, accept 

These gifts of mine ! 
Last night my body slept 

In arms divine. 
These sated lips and eyes 

That erstwhile sued, 
Accord this sacrifice 

In gratitude. 



55 



LEDA 

ONCE on a time 
They say that Leda found 
Beneath the thyme 

An egg upon the ground ; 

And yet the swan 
She fondled long ago 

Was whiter than 
Its shell of peeping snow. 



S6 



AMCEBEUM: ALC^US AND SAPPHO 



ViOLET-weaving Sappho, pure and lovely, 
Softly-smiling Sappho, I would utter 
Something that my secret hope has cherished, 
Did no painful sense of shame deter me. 



Had the impulse of thy heart been honest, 
It had urged no evil supplication ; 
Shame had not abashed thy eyes before me, 
And thy words had done thee no dishonor. 

ALCiEUS 

Softly-smiling Sappho, longing bids me 
Tell thee all that in my heart lies hidden. 



Have no fear, Alcaeus, to offend me ! 
Thy emotion stirs my heart to pity. 



I desire thee, violet-weaving Sappho ! 
Love thee madly, softly-smiling Sappho 1 

SAPPHO 

Hush, Alcaeus ! thou must choose a younger 
Comrade for thy couch, for I would never 
Join thy years to mine — the Gods forbid it - 
Youth and ardent fire to age and ashes. 



57 



THE LOVE OF SELENE 

ACROSS the still sea's moonlit wave 
Selene came 
Softly to seek the Latmian cave, 
Her breast aflame 

With secret passion's ruthless throe, 

Her scruples done, 
And burning with desire to know 

Endymion. 



58 



THE CRETAN DANCE 

As the moon in all her splendor 
Slowly rose above the forest, 
Silent stood the Cretan women 
Round the altar. 

Girdled close their clinging tunics, 
Made of some transparent fabric. 
Traced the every curve and lissome 
Of their bodies. 

With revering eyes uplifted 
To the round and rising planet, 
Soon its drifting beams of silver 
Lit their faces. 

Soft and clear its sphere effulgent. 
Full defined above the treetops, 
Steeped in pale unearthly glamor 
All the landscape. 

When the argent glimmer rested 
On the altar piled with garlands, 
And its glow unveiled the marble 
Aphrodite ; 

Linking hands, the Cretan women 
Moving gracefully with metric 
Steps began to dance a measure 
To the Goddess. 

All so light their feet unsandalled 
Pressed the velvet grass in treading, 
That they scarcely bruised its tender 
Blooming verdure. 

Slowly turning in a circle 
To the east, their voices chanted 
In a plaintive note the sacred 
Ithyphallics ; 



59 



Then they paused, their steps retracing 
Toward the west, and answered strophe 
By antistrophe with choric 
Tones accordant ; 

With the aftersong epodic, 
Standing all before the altar, 
Lo ! the hymn in praise of Paphos 
Was completed. 



60 



c 



TO ALC^US 

ouNTLESS are the cups thou drainest 
In thy hymns to Dionysos, 
O Alcaeus I 



War and wine alone thou singest ; — 
Wherefore not of Aphrodite, 

O Alcaeus ! 

Spacious halls are thine where many 
Trophies hang in Ares' honor, 
O Alcaeus ! 

Brazen shields and shining helmets, 
Plates of brass, Chalcidian broad-swords, 
O Alcseus ! 

When with winter roars the Thracian 
North wind through the leafless forest, 
O Alcaeus ! 

Thou dost heap the fire and banish 
Care with many a tawny goblet, 
O Alcaeus I 



6t 



HYPORCHEME 

THUS contend the maidens 
In the cretic dance, 
Rosy arms that glisten, 
Eyes that glance ; 

Cheeks as fair as blossoms, 
Parted lips that glow, 

With their honeyed voices 
Chanting low ; 

With their plastic bodies 
Swaying to the flute. 

Moving with the music 
Never mute; 

Graceful the orchestric 
Figures they unfold, 

While the vesper heaven 
Turns to gold. 



62 



LARICHUS 

WHILE charming maids plait garlands for thy brows, 
Larichus, bring the pledge for this carouse 
Like lovely Ganymede, brother mine, 
And cool from thy patera pour the wine. 

Thy slender limbs have all a Satyr's grace, 

Hylas, the Wood-God, dimples in thy face ; 

These maids of mine, beloved and loving me, 

My dreams have made thy Nymphs to sport with thee. 

I heard fair Mitylene's plaudits cease 
O'er Lykas, Menon and Dinnomenes ; 
And hail thy beauty worthy of the prize. 
Cupbearer to the council of the wise. 

No noble youth the prytaneum holds, 
Whose graceful form the purple tunic folds 
Can match with thee, when on affairs of state 
All Lesbos gathers with the wise and great. 



63 



SPRING 

COME, shell divine, be vocal now for me, 
As when the Hebrus river and the sea 
To Lesbos bore, on waves harmonious, 
The head and golden lyre of Orpheus. 

Calliope, queen of the tuneful throng. 
Descend and be the Muse of melic song ; 
For through my frame life's tides renewing bring 
The glad vein-warming vigor of the spring. 

The skies that dome the earth with far blue fire 
Make the wide land one temple of desire ; — 
Just now across my cheek I felt a God, 
In the enraptured breeze, pass zephyr-shod. 

Was that Pan's flute, O Atthis, that we heard, 
Or the soft love-note of a woodland bird ? 
That flame a scarlet wing that skimmed the stream, 
Or the red flash of our impassioned dream ? 

Ah, soon again we two shall gather fair 

Garlands of dill and rose to deck our bare 

White arms that cling, white breast that burns to breast, 

When the long night of love shall banish rest. 



64 



GIRL FRIENDS 



PRELUDE 

DEFTLY on my little 
Seven-stringed barbitos, 
Now to please my girl friends 
Songs I set to music. 

Maidens fair, companions 
Of the Muses, never 
Toward you shall my feelings 
Undergo a change. 

Chanted in a plaintive 
Old Ionic measure, 
All the songs I give you 
Are the songs of love. 



67 



ANDROMEDA 

WHAT bucolic maiden 
Now thy heart bewitches, 
O my Andromeda 
Of the strange amours ? 

Round her awkward ankles 
She has not the faintest 
Sense of art to draw her 
Long ungraceful tunic. 

Yet she surely makes thee, 
O my Andromeda, 
For thy sweet unlawful 
Love a fair requital. 

Joy and praise attend thee, 
In thy keen perceptive 
Taste for beauty, daughter 
Of Polyanax ! 



68 



EUNEICA 

Aphrodite's handmaid, 
Bright as gold thou earnest, 
Tender woven garlands 
Round thy tender neck ; 

Sweet as soft Persuasion, 
Lissome as the Graces, 
Shy Euneica, lovely 
Girl from Salamis. 

Slender thou as Syrinx, 
As the waving reed-nymph, 
Once by Pan, the god of 
Summer winds, deflowered. 

On thy lips whose quiver 
Seems to plead for pity, 
Mine shall rest and linger 
Like the mouth of Pan 

On the mouth of Syrinx, 
When his breath that filled her 
Blew through all her body 
Music of his love. 



69 



GORGO 

GORGO, I am weary 
Of thy love's insistence, 
Thou to me appearest 
An ill-favored child. 

Though I am than Gello 
Fonder still of virgins, 
Toward thee I have never 
Felt the least desire. 

Yesternight I knew not 
What to do, for pity 
Moved my bosom deeply. 
Seeing thee implore. 

Harassed by alternate 
Yielding and refusal, 
I was half persuaded 
Then to grant thy prayer. 

At my door thy presence 
Lingers like a shadow ; 
Vain wouldst thou reproach me 
With appealing eyes. 

Dost thou think by constant 
Proofs of lasting passion, 
Slowly my obdurate 
Will to wear away ? 

Gorgo, I am weary 
Of thy love's insistence. 
And my strength exhausted 
Grants thy wish at last. 



70 



MNASIDICA 

SET, O Dica, garlands on thy lovely 
Glinting mass of fine and golden tresses, 
Sprays of dill with fingers soft entwining 
While I stand apart to better judge. 

Those who have fair wreaths about the forehead, 
Breathing brentheian odor to the senses, 
Ever first find favor with the Graces 
Who from wreathless suppliants turn away. 

Dica, Mnasidica, thou art shapely 
With the flowing curves of Aphrodite ; 
Eyes the color of her azure ocean 
Washing wide on Cyprus' languid shore. 

In thy every movement grace unconscious 
Sways the rhythmic poem of thy body, 
Charming with elusive undulation 
Like a splendid lily in the wind. 

As I stand apart to judge the better 
Fair effects that roses add to beauty. 
All thy rays of loveliness concentered 
Sun me till I swoon with swift desire. 



71 



TELESIPPA 

SLEEP thou in the bosom 
Of thy tender girl friend, 
Telesippa, gentle 
Maiden from Miletus. 

Like twin petals shyly 
Closing to the darkness, 
Dewy on your drooping 
Lids shall fall her kisses. 

While her arms enfold you, 
On your drowsy senses 
Shall her soft caresses 
Seal delicious languor. 

Warm from her desireful 
Heart the flush of passion 
On your cheek unconscious, 
With her sighs shall deepen. 

All the long sweet night-time, 
Sleepless while you slumber, 
She shall lie and quiver 
With her love's mad longing. 



72 



GYRINNO 

Now the silver crescent 
Of the moon has vanished, 
With the golden Pleiads 
Drifting down the west. 

It is after midnight 
And the time is passing, 
Hours we pledged to passion 
And I sleep alone. 

Anger ill becomes thee, 
Tender-souled Gyrinno, 
Shapelier is Dica 
But less loved by me. 

Art thou still relentless, 
Wilful one, annulling 
All thy protestations 
In the fervid past ? 

Can it, O Charites, 
Be thou hast forgotten ? 
Dost thou love another. 
Even now, perchance ? 

Ah, my tears are falling, 
Yet in my despairing 
Mood I lie and Usten 
For thy furtive step ; 

For the lightest rustle 
Of thy flowing garment. 
For thy sweet and panting 
Whisper at the door. 

Now the moon has vanished 
With the golden Pleiads ; 
It is after midnight 
And I sleep alone. 



73 



MEGARA 

THOU burnest us, Megara, 
With thy passions wild ; 
Bringing from Panormus 
Such unbridled fires. 

Thou burnest us, a supple 
Flow of tortured flame, 
Raging, biting, searing, 
Lawless of the will. 

Thou burnest us, Megara, 
Love must know reserve, 
Curbing power to keep it 
Keener for restraint. 



74 



ERINNA 

HAUGHTIER than thou, O fair Erinna, 
I have never met with any maiden. 

Such a careless scorn as thine for passion 
Proves a dire affront to Aphrodite. 

When with soft desire she wounds thy bosom, 
Thou shalt know love's pain and doubly suffer. 

Keep the gifts I gave thee, long rejected ; 
Fabrics for thy lap from far Phocea, 

Babylonian unguents, scented sandals, 
And the costly mitra for thy tresses ; 

Tripods worked in brass to flank the altar 
With the ivory figure of the Goddess ; 

Where the sacrificial fumes from sacred 
Flames shall rise to gladden and appease her, 

In the hour when at her call thy fervid 

Breast and mouth to mine shall be relinquished. 



75 



GONGYLA 

IT was when the sunset 
Burned with saffron fire, 
And Apollo's coursers 
Turned below the hills, 

That on Mitylene's 
Marble bridge we met, 
Gongyla, thou golden 
Maid of Colophon. 

Like the breath of morning 
Or a breeze from sea, 
Fresh thy beauty smote me, 
Virile of the north. 

Startled by thy vision. 
Transports half divine 
Flooded veins and bosom, 
Shook me with desire. 

Soon the kinder sunglow 
Of ^olic lands 
Melted all the futile 
Snows about thy heart. 



76 



DAMOPHYLA 

COLD of heart and strangely 
Uninclined to passion, 
Wisdom's vigil leaves thee, 
Proud Damophyla. 

Sapphics thou hast written, 
Verses in my metre, 
With a skill surpassing 
In the melic art. 

Love's superb enchantment 
Thou art fain to banish, 
Like the virgin Huntress 
Long by thee adored. 

Molded by thy tunic, 
Every arching contour 
Of her chaste and noble 
Form I dream to see ; 

Even view her stepping 
From the leafy covert 
Down the dawn-white valley. 
Stately as a stag. 

Long I sued but found thee 
Deaf to all entreaty, 
Till one summer twilight 
Listless in the heat ; 

Soothed by slumber's languor. 
And my low monodic 
Voice that hymned a paean 
In the praise of love ; 

Loth to yield yet vanquished, 
As I knelt beside thee. 
All thy long resistance 
To my kiss succumbed. 



77 



ANAGORA 

ANAGORA, fairest 
Spoil of fateful battle, 
Babylonian temples 
Knew thy luring song. 

Wrested from barbaric 
Captors for thy beauty, 
Thou wert made a priestess 
At Mylitta's shrine. 

Once these flexile fingers 
Clasped in mine so closely, 
Neath the temple's arches 
Thrummed the tabor soft. 

Thou hast taught me secrets 
Of the cryptic chambers, 
How the zonahs worship 
In the burning East; 

Raptures that my wildest 
Dreaming never pictured, 
Arts of love that charmed me, 
Subtle, new and strange. 

Hearken to my earnest 
Prayer, O Aphrodite ! 
May the night be doubled 
Now for our delight. 



78 



PHAON 



PHILOMEL 

PHILOMEL in my garden, 
Messenger sweet of springtide, 
From the bough of the olive tree utter 
Tidings ecstatic. 

Linger long on thy olden 
Note as in days remembered ; 

Ere the Boatman that knew Aphrodite 
Ravished my vision. 

Fatal glamor of beauty. 
Beauty of Gods made mortal ; 

Ah, before its delight I am ever 
Fearful of heaven. 

Spring in breeze and the blossom. 
Grasses and leaves and odors, 

On my heart with the breath of a vanished 
April is shaken ; 

Shaken with thrill and regret of 
Lost caresses and kisses ; 

Anactoria's memory, Atthis 
Never forgotten. 

Philomel in my garden, 
Messenger sweet of springtide. 

From the bough of the olive tree utter 
Tidings ecstatic. 



8i 



GOLDEN PULSE 

GOLDEN pulse grew on the shore, 
Ferns along the hill, 
And the red cliff roses bore 
Bees to drink their fill ; 

Bees that from the meadows bring 

Wine of melilot, 
Honey-sups on golden wing 

To the garden grot. 

But to me, neglected flower, 

Phaon will not see, 
Passion brings no crowning hour. 

Honey nor the bee. 



82 



THE SWALLOW 

DAUGHTER of Pandion, lovely 
Swallow that veers at my window, 
Swift on the flood of the sunshine 
Darting thy shadow ; 

What is thy innocent purpose, 

Why dost thou hover and haunt me ? 

Is it a kinship of sorrow 

Brings thee an ear me ? 

Must thou forever be tongueless, 
Flying in fear of Tereus ? 
Must he for Itys pursue thee, 
Changed to a lapwing? 

Tireless of pinion and never 
Resting on bush or the branches, 
Close to the earth, up the azure, 
Over the treetops ; 

After thy wing in its madness 
Follows my glance, as a flitting 
Child on the track of its mother 
Hastens in silence. 

Daughter of Pandion, lovely 
Swallow that veers at my window, 
Hast thou a message from Cyprus 
Telling of Phaon ? 



83 



TIDINGS 

SHE wrapped herself in linen woven close, 
Stuffs delicate and texture-fine as those 
The dark Nile traders for our bartering 
From Egypt, Crete and far Phocea bring. 

Love lent her feet the wings of winds to reach 
(Whose steps stir not the shingle of the beach) 
My marble court and, breathless, bid me know 
My lover's sails across the harbor blow. 

He seemed to her, as to himself he seems, 

Like some bright God long treasured in her dreams ; 

She saw him standing at his galley's prow — 

My Phaon, mine, in Mitylene now ! 



84 



HESPERUS 

HESPERUS shines 
Low on the eastern wave, 
Off toward the Asian shore ; 

Over faint lines 

Whose grays and purples pave 
Where seas night-calmed adore. 

Fair vesper fire, 

Fairest of stars, the light 
Benign of secret bliss ; 

Star of desire, 

Bringing to me with night 
Dreams and my Phaon's kiss. 



8S 



DAWN 

JUST now the golden-sandalled Dawn 
Peered through the lattice of my room ; 
Why must thou fare so soon, my Phaon ? 

Last night I met thee at the shore, 
A thousand hues were in the sky ; 

The breeze from Cyprus blew, my Phaon I 

I drew, to lave thy heated brow, 
My kerchief dripping from the sea ; 

Why hadst thou sailed so far, my Phaon ? 

Far up the narrow mountain paths 
We heard the shepherds fluting home ; 

Like some white God thou seemed, my Phaon ! 

And through the olive trees we saw 
The twinkle of my vesper lamp ; 

Wilt kiss me now as then, my Phaon ? 

Nay, loosen not with gentle force 
The clasp of my restraining arms ; 

I will not let thee go, my Phaon ! 

See, deftly in my trailing robe 

I spring and draw the lattice close ; 

Is it not night again, my Phaon ? 



86 



THE FAREWELL 

BELOVED, Stand face to face, 
And, lifting lids, disclose to me the grace, 
The Paphic fire that lingers yet and lies 
Reflected in thy eyes. 

Phaon, my sole beloved. 

Stand not to my mad passion all unmoved ; 
O let, ere thou to far Panormus sail, 

One hour of love prevail. 

Dear ingrate, come and let 

Thy breath like odor from a cassolet, 

Thy smile, the clinging touch of lips and heart 
Anoint me, ere we part. 

Phaon, I yearn and seek 

But thee alone ; and what I feel must speak 
In all these fond and wilful ways of mine, 

O mortal, made divine ! 

My girl friends now no more 

Hang their sweet gifts of garlands at my door ; 
Dear maids, with all your vanished empery 

Ye now are naught to me. 

Phaon, thy galley rides 

Within the harbor's mouth and waits the tides 
And favoring winds, far to the west to fly 

And leave me here to die. 

The brawny rowers lean 

To bend long-stroking oars ; and changing scene 
And fairer loves than mine shall soon efface 

This last divine embrace. 

Phaon, the lifting breeze 1 

See, at thy feet I kneel and clasp thy knees ! 
Go not, go not 1 O hear my sobbing prayer. 

And yield to my despair 1 

87 



DARK-EYED SLEEP 

DARK-EYED Sleep, child of Night, 
Come in thy shadow garment to my couch, 
And with thy soothing touch, 
Cool as the vesper breeze. 
Grant that I may forget ; 

Bestow condign release, 

A taste of rest that comes with endless sleep ; 
Lure off the haunting dreams. 
The dire Eumenides 

That torture my repose. 

For I would live a space 

Though Phaon has forsaken me, nor yet 
Be found on shadow fields 
Among the lilies tall 

Of pale Persephone. 



88 



THE CLIFF OF LEUCAS 

AFAR-SEEN cliff 
Stands in the western sea 
Toward Cephallenian lands. 

Apollo's temple crowns 
Its whitened crest, 
And at its base 
The waves eternal beat. 

Its leap has power 
To cure the pangs 
Of unrequited love. 

Thither pale lovers go 
With anguished hearts 
To dare the deep and quench 
Love's slow consuming flame. 

Urged to the edge 
By maddening desire, 
I, too, shall fling myself 
Imploring thee, 
Apollo, lord and king I 

Into the chill 

Embraces of the sea, 

Less cold than thine, O Phaon, 

I shall fall — 

Fall with the flutter of a wounded dove : 

And I shall rise 

Indifferent forever to love's dream, 

Or find below 

The sea's eternal voice. 

Eternal peace. 



89 



EPIGRAMS 



THE DUST OF TIMAS 

THIS is the dust of Timas ! Here inurned 
Rest the dear ashes where so late had burned 
Her spirit's flame. She perished, gentle maid, 
Before her bridal day and now a shade. 
Silent and sad, she evermore must be 
In the dark chamber of Persephone. 
When life had faded with the flower and leaf, 
Each girl friend sweet, in token of her grief. 
Resigned her severed locks with bended head, 
Beauty's fair tribute to the lovely dead. 



93 



THE PRIESTESS OF ARTEMIS 

MAIDENS, that pass my tomb with laughter sweet, 
A voice unresting echoes at your feet ; 
Pause, and if any would my story seek, 
Dumb as I am, these graven words will speak ; 
Once in the vanished years it chanced to please 
Arista, daughter of Hermocleides, 
To dedicate my life in virgin bliss 
To thee, revered of women, Artemis ! 
O Goddess, deign to bless my grandsire's line, 
For Saon was a temple priest of thine ; 
And grant, O Queen, in thy benefic grace. 
Unending fame and fortune to his race. 



94 



PELAGON 

ABOVE the lowly grave of Pelagon, 
Ill-fated fisher lad, Meniscus' son, 
His father placed as sign of storm and strife 
The weel and oar, memorial of his life. 



95 



FINIS 



INDEX 



SAPPHICS 



the muses 
musagetes 
love's banquet 
moon and stars 
ode to anactoria 

THE ROSE 

ODE TO APHRODITE 

SUMMER . 

THE GARDEN OF THE NYMPHS 

aphrodite's DOVES 

anacreon's song 

the daughter of CYPRUS 
THE DISTAFF . 
THE SLEEP WIND 
THE REPROACH 
LONG AGO 



3 
4 

5 
6 

7 
8 

9 

lO 

13 
14 
15 
16 

17 
19 

20 



EPITHALAMIA: THRENODES 



HYMENAIOS 


23 


BRIDAL SONG 


24 


EPITHALAMIUM .... 


25 


PIERIA'S ROSE 


26 


LAMENT FOR ADONIS 


27 


THE STRICKEN FLOWER . 


28 


DEATH 


29 


PERSEPHONE 


30 



97 



INDEX 

PARTHENEIA: DIDAKTIKA 



MAIDENHOOD . 










33 


EVER MAIDEN . 










34 


CLEIS 










35 


ASPIRATION 










36 


HERO, OF GYARA 










37 


COURAGE . 










ss 


THE BOAST OF ARES 










39 


GOLD 










40 


GNOMICS . 










41 


PRIDE 










42 


LETO AND NIOBE 










43 


THE DYE . 










44 



EROTIKA: DITHYRAMBS 

HYMN TO PAPHIA 47 

EROS 49 

PASSION 50 

APHRODITE'S PRAISE 5 1 

THE FIRST KISS 52 

ODE TO ATTHIS 53 

COMPARISON 54 

THE SACRIFICE 55 

LEDA 56 

AMCEBEUM : ALCEUS AND SAPPHO . . . 57 

THE LOVE OF SELENE . . . . . 58 

THE CRETAN DANCE 59 

TO ALC^EUS 61 

HYPORCHEME . 62 

LARICHUS 63 

SPRING 64 

98 



GIRL FRIENDS 



PRELUDE . 












67 


ANDROMEDA 












68 


EUNEICA . 












69 


GORGO 












70 


MNASIDICA 












71 


TELESIPPA 












72 


GYRINNO . 












73 


MEGARA . 












74 


ERINNA . 












75 


GONGYLA . 












76 


DAMOPHYLA 












77 


ANAGORA 












78 



PHAON 



PHILOMEL 

GOLDEN PULSE 

THE SWALLOW . 

TIDINGS . 

HESPERUS 

DAWN 

THE FAREWELL 

DARK-EYED SLEEP 

THE CLIFF OF LEUCAS 



81 

82 
83 
84 
85 

86 

87 
88 
89 



EPIGRAMS 



THE DUST OF TIMAS 

THE PRIESTESS OF ARTEMIS 

PELAGON .... 



93 
94 

95 



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